Another beautiful fall day so I joined Ian Cannell and Alfred Adamo on Hanlan’s Point to see if there was any change from yesterdays and there were.
Along with the Subject birds, Connecticut Warbler (thanks to Alfred and the Nelson’s Sparrow, we came up with a total of 65 species today on Hanlan’s Point and following are some of the high lights. 15 Canvasbacks, Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Merlin, Golden Plover, Sanderlings, 4 Woodpecker species, 37 Eastern Phoebes, both Kinglets with many Golden-crowned, Veery, 26 Hermit Thrushes, A. Pipit, Blue-headed and Philadelphia Vireo, 8 Warbler species including Tennessee, Nashville, many Palms and Yellow-rumps and 11 Orange-crowned Warblers, 10 Sparrow species including E. Towhee, Chipping, Field, Lincoln’s, and many White-crowned Sparrows, E. Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, House and Purple Finches and Pine Siskins. The Toronto Islands and especially Hanlan’s Point is one of the best places (in my opinion) in Southern Ontario to find Orange-crowned Warblers during October and not a shabby place during Spring migration and a pretty good place to find Nelson’s Sparrows, especially in October. DIRECTIONS TO THE TORONTO ISLAND FERRY DOCKS TORONTO ISLANDS – FALL SCHEDULE – Last weekend for a ferry to Hanlan’s Point and Centre Island until next April. Note:- Fare :- Adults $7.00 - Seniors / Students $4.50 If you are on the subway southbound get off at the TTC’s Union Subway Station, walk south on Bay Street (on the east side of the station) for about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street at Queen’s Quay and you are there. The entrance to the ferry docks (well signed) is on the west side of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. To get to the Toronto Islands from the TTC’s Union Subway Station on the TTC you may transfer to the #6 or the #6A Bay St. TTC bus on Bay Street just outside of the east entrance to the GO Station. They both go down Bay Street to Queen’s Quay. Go passengers arriving by train or bus must pay a fare to use the TTC bus. For those who choose to head down to the docks on Sunday before the Subway opens you can catch the #97B Yonge St. Blue Night bus (Steeles Ave. To Queens Quay). This bus will let you off right across the street on Bay St. only steps from the ferry docks entrance. You may also want to visit the TTC web page http://www.ttc.ca/ for trip planning assistance. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queen’s Quay, there are very few parking lots nearby. One is located just a block north of the ferry docks. NOTE 1: – For those who arrive at the docks early or need the fix there is a Tim Hortons across from the ferry dock entrance just east of the corner of Bay St. and Queens Quay. NOTE 2:- If you want to learn more about birding on the Toronto Islands you can access my Toronto Islands Birding And Site Guide on the OFO web site at:- http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/articles.torontoislands NOTE 3:- From October 15th, 2014 to April 18, 2015 there will be no ferries to Hanlan’s Point or Centre Island, the Ward’s Island ferry will continue to operate during that period as usual. Norm Murr Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada You can't see birds if you don't go out but sit and wait for others to find them. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
